“And?”
She gaped at me. “Wow. You are the worst teacher I’ve ever met.”
“It’s my first year,” I offered in explanation. “And I technically haven’t started yet.”
“Well, you’re off to a horrible start,” she muttered.
I lifted a shoulder, unbothered by her attempt at an insult. This wasn’t my career choice. And if I had it my way, I’d be done before I even started.
“So you all expect me to perform magic with a handicap,” she drawled. “Oh, but I may not have any dark magic at all, which this exercise seems to confirm.”
“Yet you dismantled a high-level spell inside your mind yesterday, which suggests otherwise,” I pointed out. “Not just anyone can outmaneuver a Nacht binding charm.”
“The little web, you mean?”
“There was nothing little about it.” Yet, that she considered it little said quite a bit. “How did you dismantle it?” I’d wondered the same thing last night but had been too amused by her attacking Kols with a thwomp. Dangerous, yes. And entertaining as fuck. I was almost disappointed when she lost.
Alas, she always would.
“I found a piece of my light and followed it,” she answered vaguely. “I don’t see any light now because of this.” She gestured to her throat again.
“That cuts you off from your elements, not the dark magic growing inside you.” Which I sensed humming just benea
th her skin. Another hint I could provide her with, but to what purpose? The best way to learn was by doing, not being led. If she wanted any hope of surviving in our world, then she needed to start thinking and acting for herself. Not relying on others to protect her.
Even if that was technically my job for the time being.
She shook her head. “This is a waste of time.”
“Is it?” I drawled. “I had no idea.”
“Wow. This is really not the right career path for you.”
I smiled. “Your reasoning skills are outstanding, Aflora.” I leaned forward. “And you couldn’t be more right.”
“Then why are you here?” she demanded.
“Because I’m serving my duty to the crown as prescribed.” Whether I like it or not, I added to myself. But enough about that. “Regarding your powers, Midnight Fae pull through our blood, not our souls. So try that instead.”
There. I’d tossed her a bone. Now no one could accuse me of not trying to help.
“Through my blood,” she repeated, her tone skeptical. “Right.”
“Look, if you don’t want to try, then eat the shit offered up at the buffet and let’s head back. I could use a nap, and you have a pile of textbooks to start reading.” Not that any of them would help her.
This poor girl was utterly fucked.
And so not my problem.
Then why are you trying to teach her? some unhelpful voice in the back of my mind asked.
I shoved it away. I wasn’t helping her, just providing some guidance to get her started.
Aflora glowered at me, her blue eyes glittering in a way that reminded me of sex.
Hot.
Passionate.